I asked some random questions that die hard Futurama fans (well at least me) we’re always wondering about to executive producer David X. Cohen and voice actors Maurice LaMarche and Billy West. Here’s a smattering of some of their kooky answers.
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WWKD? (What Would Kif Do? – During the Holiday Season of Course)
Kif is missing from the “Holiday Spectacular,” but if he were to celebrate a holiday LaMarche says he would celebrate “Tadpolemas.” “The birth of the savior tadpoles, of course,” said LaMarche, launching into Kif’s trademark voice. “When our savior was born no swamp would have him,” he added in character before laughing.
Executive Producer David X. Cohen Would Have the Hardest Time Killing Bender Off
Out of all the characters, Cohen admitted he would have the hardest time getting rid of Bender. Joking that he’s half-robot himself, Cohen added that it wasn’t only because he’s the most attached to the robot, it was because they’ve done everything to Bender and he has yet to die. “We’ve seen him swimming in lava and operating in outer space without a helmet,” he said. “So he’s the hardest to kill definitely.”
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Sometimes they Improv
“While once in a while a thing may get thrown in,” said LaMarche. “The Kif sign became its own thing, it just because so funny to them. John Di Maggio improved Bender’s whistle. While we’re free to play, we don’t always do it.”
Is Zoidberg Jewish?
“Well let’s see, he’s from JEW-piter,” said West jokingly, although he said he’s going to let the fans decide on this one. “I’ll probably agree he’s not Jewish in the traditional sense,” Cohen said. (The character, however, was inspired by Jewish actors, both West and Cohen admitted.) “Zoidberg himself is from a planet that doesn’t celebrate the earthly holidays, and he’s definitely not kosher,” Cohen explained. “He just has Jewish mannerisms. He’s covering all the traditional bases.”
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Their Favorite Things
LaMarche said he loves the Futurama calendars, because they have the most obscure holidays in the world on them. His favorite schwag, however, is a fridge magnet of Kif that says “Oh geez.” West, who voices Fry, Professor Farnsworth, and Zoidberg among others, chose something easier to find. He likes the complete series DVD (well until this latest season) set that was housed in a Bender head. Cohen thought the blue Zoidberg vinyl figurines were neat, but unwisely gave them away his share to his friends. (They’re easily worth at least $200 each now). His favorite: The squished vinyl versions of each character. “Kid Robot makes these little squat figurines. We actually had a giant trading frenzy here at the office. We briefly got into a brief bidding war,” he admitted.